Charging case for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Techniques are disclosed for aiding in charging an electronic device using a charging case. The charging case includes a conductive contact and may connect to a conductive contact of the electronic device while still allowing user access to the main connector port of the electronic device. The charging case includes a power module that may receive power from an external power source. The power module may include an inductive coupling coil, photovoltaic cells, or a power cable port. Circuitry within the charging case may control and transmit power from the power module to the electronic device through the conductive contacts. The charging case may include a battery. The charging case may also include a data module for receiving data from an external data source, and the case circuitry may process and transmit data from the data module to the electronic device through the conductive contacts.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos.61/673,588 and 61/673,590, both filed on Jul. 19, 2012. Each of theseapplications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to charging electronic devices, and moreparticularly, to a device case for aiding in charging a device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices are present in various form factors, such as,tablets, cell phones, laptops, eBook readers, etc. Charging suchelectronic devices is necessary on a regular basis, and typically thedevices are charged by a connection to the main connector port of theelectronic device. Often, the main connector port is located at a bottomportion of the device such that it may stand upright while it isconnected into a docking station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate an example charging case surrounding anelectronic touch screen device configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inductively coupledcharging case for an electronic device, configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a solar powered charging case for an electronic device,configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a charging case connected to anelectronic device, configured in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for aiding in charging a device using acharging case, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques are disclosed for aiding in charging an electronic deviceusing a charging case. The charging case may attach to the outside ofthe electronic device and includes a conductive contact and may connectto a conductive contact of the electronic device while still allowinguser access to the device's main connector port. Thus, the charging casemay allow user access to the device's main connector port duringcharging. The charging case includes a power module that may receivepower from an external power source. The power module may include, forexample, an inductive coupling coil, photovoltaic cells, or a powercable port. Circuitry within the charging case may control and transmitpower from the power module to the electronic device and may perform anynecessary processing or conditioning before transmitting power throughthe conductive contacts. The charging case may include a battery thatcan act as a primary or backup battery for the electronic device. Thecharging case may also include a data module for receiving data from anexternal data source, and the case circuitry may process and transmitdata to the electronic device through the conductive contacts. The datamodule may include, for example, a short range transponder, one or moredata ports, or an inductive coupling coil.

General Overview

As previously explained, various charging techniques exist for poweringelectronic devices, but such techniques may prevent access to the mainconnector port during charging. The charging case and chargingtechniques described herein provide a more streamlined chargingexperience without occupying the device's main connector port. In oneembodiment, the charging case includes a power receiver module, chargingcase circuitry, and a conductive contact for connecting the case to anelectronic device. The power module of the charging case may receivepower, for example, from an external power source, and the charging casecircuitry may be configured to transfer a charge from the power moduleto the electronic device through the conductive contact. The chargingcase may charge the device's battery, in some embodiments, while inother embodiments the charging case may include its own battery that mayact as a primary or back-up battery for the electronic device. In onesuch example, the charging case includes a battery that is configured toconnect into the battery slot of the electronic device such that thecase conductive contact connects to the device's battery contacts. Thecase may be, for example, a customized case configured to fit a specificelectronic device model. The case may slide around the device like asleeve, may snap around the edges of the device, may include a devicescreen protector, or have any other suitable case form factor thatallows for access to the main connector port of the device. In onespecific example, the case may include a flap that can cover the frontof the device. In some cases, the flap may fold behind the device tofunction as a device stand, the flap may cause the device to enter sleepmode when covering the device screen, and it may wake the device up fromsleep mode when the flap is opened.

The power receiver module of the charging case may be connected to anexternal power source, for example, through a standard chargerconnection (e.g., mini USB, micro USB, 8 pin, 16 pin, S20 pin, caradapter, etc.), through solar cells included on the charger case,through inductive or magnetic coupling with a charging pad or station,or through some other suitable power transfer technique. Additionally,the charging case may include a second set of conductive contacts thatmay be used to receive power from a charging station. Solar and/orinductive coupling charging may provide the device user with a wirelesscharging technique which does not require a direct electrical connectionwith a charging station.

In one embodiment, the power module of the charging case includes asecondary conductor coil, and a primary conductor within a charging padmay be inductively/magnetically coupled with the charging case'ssecondary coil. In such an example, a current flow through the primarycoil creates an electromagnetically induced voltage across the secondarycoil. In one such example, placing the coils along a common axis suchthat the magnetic field created by the primary coil passes through thesecondary coil may enhance the inductive coupling. The charging pad mayinclude multiple primary inductive coupling coils, in some embodiments,and when the device case is placed on the charging pad the coil closesto the axis of the case's secondary coil may be activated. The chargingcircuitry of the charging case may then transfer the electromagneticallyinduced power from the conductor coil to the electronic device throughthe case's conductive contact. Inductive charging may be implementedusing any standard or proprietary wireless charging interface. Forexample, inductive charging may be implemented using the Qi wirelesscharging interface standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortiumand may have a power transfer range of up to 4 cm, in some embodiments.In other embodiments, the effective power transfer range may be as smallas 5 mm.

In another embodiment, the power module of the charging case may includean array of photovoltaic cells that may be placed along the outside ofthe device case to collect solar power. In such an embodiment, thecharging case circuitry may charge the electronic device through theconductive contacts without the need for a wire, and without needing toset the charging case on a specific charging pad or docking station. Inone embodiment, the back of the charging case may be covered withphotovoltaic cells because it may have the greatest unused and exposedsurface area on the case. In another embodiment, photovoltaic cells maybe placed on the front of the charging case around one or more edges ofthe device screen, or on any other unused and exposed surface of thedevice case.

The charging case may further include a data module, in someembodiments, that allows for additional data transfer to the electronicdevice through the charging case. In one such example, the charging casemay include a short-range transponder or one or more data ports (e.g.,Ethernet, WiFi, mini USB, micro USB, SD card, etc.), which allow fordata transfer in addition to the device's main connector port. In oneparticular example, a near field communication (NFC) link may be used totransfer data to or from an electronic device through the chargingcase's circuitry. In some embodiments, the data module and the powermodule may utilize common circuitry for receiving power and data. Forexample, inductive coupling may be used for data transfer in addition tocreating a charge source for the electronic device. In such an example,the charger case includes a conductor coil that may be magneticallycoupled to an external conductor coil, and any change in current flowthrough the external conductor coil may be detected at the chargercase's coil. The current flow data may be communicated to the electronicdevice through the case's conductive contacts, thus transferring data tothe electronic device through inductive/magnetic coupling. When data isnot being transferred via inductive coupling, the conductor coils may beused for charging the electronic device.

CHARGING CASE EXAMPLES

FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate an example charging case surrounding anelectronic touch screen device configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, in this particularexample the charging case can snap around the four corners of theelectronic device and the case includes a device port access that allowsfor access to the device's main connector port. In this exampleembodiment, the device screen is a touch screen display and the devicecould be, for example, a tablet such as the NOOK® tablet or eReader byBarnes & Noble. In a more general sense, the device may be any mobileelectronic device, such as a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader,GPS system, etc. As will be appreciated in light of this disclosure, theclaimed invention is not intended to be limited to any specific kind ortype of electronic device or form factor.

In this example configuration, the charging case leaves the front of theelectronic device completely accessible to the user. Thus, theconductive contacts of the charging case must connect to the electronicdevice through conductive contacts on the back of the device, and thisconnection will be discussed in reference to FIG. 2. In this specificexample, the electronic device includes a number of control features anda press-button (sometimes called a home button herein). The hardwarecontrol features provided on the device in this example embodiment areconfigured as elongated press-bars and can be used, for example, to pageforward (using the top press-bar) or to page backward (using the bottompress-bar), such as might be useful in an eReader application. In thisexample configuration, the home button is a physical press-button thatmay be associated with and control numerous device actions, such as,showing a navigation menu, exiting a navigation menu, putting the deviceto sleep, etc. Other embodiments may have fewer or additional suchcontrol features, or different control features altogether, depending onthe target application of the device, and the charging case may beconfigured so as to not interfere with a user's access to these controlfeatures. Any such general controls and features can be implementedusing any suitable conventional or custom technology, as will beappreciated. In some specific example embodiments, the charging case maybe attached to an electronic device measuring about 7″ to 9″ high byabout 5″ to 6″ wide by about 0.5″ thick, and weighing about 7 to 8ounces. Any number of suitable form factors can be used, depending onthe target application (e.g., laptop, mobile phone, GPS unit, etc.). Thecharging case may be smaller, for example, for smartphone and tabletapplications and larger for laptop applications.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inductively coupledcharging case for an electronic device, configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, this examplecharging case includes case electronics that are connected with a caseconductive contact as well as a secondary charging coil. The electronicdevice is fixed within the charging case, and the device conductivecontact is in physical contact with the charging case's conductivecontact. The charging case is lying on top of a charging pad, whichincludes charging pad electronics that are connected to a primarycharging coil, as well as an external power source, such as a 120V ACpower outlet, for example. In this specific example, the charging padelectronics provide a current to the primary charging coil from theexternal power source, and the current flowing through the primarycharging coil may create a magnetic field. This magnetic field isdetected by the secondary charging coil, and causes anelectromagnetically induced voltage across the secondary charging coil.The case electronics may then transfer this voltage to the electronicdevice through the case's conductive contact. In one embodiment, thesecondary charging coil is located along the same axis as the primarycharging coil, such that the magnetic field created by the primary coilpasses through the center of the secondary coil, enhancing the inductivecoupling. As discussed above, inductive charging may be implementedusing any standard or proprietary wireless charging interface (e.g., theQi wireless charging interface standard developed by the Wireless PowerConsortium). The charging pad electronics may also include, for example,a processor that is configured to control the current flow through theprimary charging coil. In such an embodiment, a change in currentthrough the primary charging coil will induce a change in voltage acrossthe secondary coil and this change in voltage may be detected andprocessed by the case electronics. Thus, by regulating the current flowthrough the primary charging coil using the processor, data may becommunicated to the charging case through inductive coupling. In such anexample, inductive coupling circuitry may be used to communicate data tothe device and charge the device through the charging case.

FIG. 3 shows a solar powered charging case for an electronic device,configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Ascan be seen, in this particular example the charging case can snaparound the outer edge of the electronic device, leaving the front of theelectronic device completely accessible to the user. In this exampleembodiment, the device screen is a touch screen display and the deviceincludes a number of control features and a press-button (sometimescalled a home button herein). As discussed above, the hardware controlfeatures provided on the device in this example embodiment areconfigured as elongated press-bars and the home button is a physicalpress-button that may be associated with and control numerous deviceactions. Other embodiments may have fewer or additional such controlfeatures, or different control features altogether, depending on thetarget application of the device, and the charging case may beconfigured so as to not interfere with a user's access to these controlfeatures. In this particular example, the charging case includes anarray of photovoltaic cells built into the case that can use solar powerto charge the device battery. The cells are placed on the front of thecharging case around the top border, in this particular example, suchthat they will not interfere with the user's view of the device screen.In other embodiments, photovoltaic cells may be placed on the back ofthe electronic device, or on any other unused and exposed surface of thedevice case.

Architecture

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a charging case connected to anelectronic device, configured in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. As can be seen, the system generally includes acharging case that is capable of connecting to an electronic devicethrough conductive contacts. In this example case, the electronic deviceincludes a conductive contact point, as well as a main connector port.The charging case connects at the conductive contacts so as to leave themain connector port accessible while the charging case is connected. Ascan be seen, the charging case includes a conductive contact point,charging case circuitry, a power module, and a data module, in thisparticular embodiment. The power module and data module may be connectedto external power and data sources. In some embodiments, the powersource may include a cable, an inductive charging coil, a light source,or any other source of power that a power module may collect power from.The power module may include, for example, a secondary inductive coilsimilar to the one described in FIG. 2, an array of photovoltaic cells,a cable port, one or more conductive contacts, or some other module forcollecting power. The data module may include, for example, NFCcircuitry, a short-range transponder, a data port (e.g., Ethernet, WiFi,mini USB, micro USB, SD card, etc.) that allows for data transfer inaddition to the device's main connector port, or an inductive coilconfigured to receive data from an external inductively coupled datasource. In some embodiments, the power and data modules can beimplemented with common circuitry in a single module, and the data andpower may be transmitted through the same external data and powersource. For example, in one embodiment, inductive coupling may be usedto transmit power and data to the charging case. The charging casecircuitry may include, for example, a linear regulator, bridgerectifier, inductive transponder circuitry, or any other necessarycircuitry for processing or conditioning data or power beforetransferring it to the electronic device through the conductivecontacts.

Methodology

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for aiding in charging a device using acharging case, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In one example embodiment, the elements of the followingmethod may be carried out on the various system modules described inreference to FIG. 4. As can be seen, in this example case, the methodstarts by receiving 501 power at the charging case from an externalpower source. The power may be received by the power module of FIG. 4,and as discussed above, the power module may include photovoltaic cells,a power cable port, inductive charging coils, etc. The method maycontinue with processing 502 the power at the charging case circuitry.The circuitry may be used to control and/or condition any power receivedfrom the power module before transferring it to the electronic device,and the power may be processed by the charging case circuitry of FIG. 4.The processing may include, for example, rectification, filtering, andregulating, or any other suitable power conditioning processes. Themethod may continue with determining 503 whether data is received at thecharging case. The data may be received by the data module of FIG. 4 andthe data module may include one or more data ports, an inductivecoupling coil, a short-range transponder, or any other suitable datareception module. If no data is received at the charging case, themethod may continue with transmitting 504 power through the conductivecontacts to the electronic device. The conductive contacts of FIG. 4 maybe used to transmit the power from the charging case to the electronicdevice. If data is received at the charging case, the method maycontinue with processing 505 the data at the charging case circuitry.The data processing may be performed by the charging case circuitry ofFIG. 4. In some embodiments, the circuitry may perform preliminaryprocessing of the data received at the charging case before transmittingthe data to the electronic device. The method may continue withtransmitting 506 the data to the electronic device through theconductive contacts. The conductive contacts of FIG. 4 may be used totransmit data from the charging case to the electronic device.

Numerous variations and embodiments will be apparent in light of thisdisclosure. One example embodiment of the present invention provides anelectronics case including a conductive contact configured to connect toa conductive contact on an electronic device. The electronics case alsoincludes a power module configured to receive power from an externalpower source, as well as charging case circuitry configured to transferpower from the power module to an electronic device through theconductive contact, thereby leaving a main connector port of theelectronic device available for use during charging of the device viathe case. In some cases, the electronics case further includes a deviceport access configured to allow access to the main connector port of theelectronic device. In some cases, the electronics case further includesa data module configured to receive data from an external data sourceand transfer data to an electronic device through the conductivecontact. In some such cases, the data module includes an inductive coil,and is configured to send and receive data through inductive coupling.In other such cases, the data module includes at least one of an: NFCcircuit, Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port,and/or SD card port. In some cases, the power module includes at leastone of: photovoltaic cells, an inductive coil configured toelectromagnetically couple to a primary inductive charging coil, a setof conductive contacts, and/or a charging cable port. In some cases, theelectronics case further includes a battery configured to receive acharge from the power module and connect into the battery slot of theelectronic device. In some cases, the electronic device is a mobilephone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, or GPS device.

Another example embodiment of the present invention provides anelectronics case including a conductive contact configured to connect toa conductive contact of an electronic device. The electronics case alsoincludes a power and data module configured to receive power and datafrom an external power source using common circuitry, and charging casecircuitry configured to transfer power and data from the power and datamodule to an electronic device through the conductive contact, therebyleaving a main connector port of the electronic device available for useduring charging of the device via the case. In some cases, the power anddata module includes an inductive coil configured to wirelessly powerthe electronic device through inductive coupling, and further configuredto send and receive data through inductive coupling. In some cases, thepower and data module includes at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernetport, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port.In some cases, the electronic device is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet,eBook reader, or GPS device. In some cases, the electronics case furtherincludes a battery configured to receive a charge from the power moduleand connect into the battery slot of the electronic device.

Another example embodiment of the present invention provides a systemfor charging an electronic device including a charging pad comprising aprimary inductive coupling circuit. The system also includes a chargingcase configured to connect with the electronic device through aconductive contact, thereby leaving a main connector port of theelectronic device available for use during charging of the device viathe case. The case includes a secondary inductive coupling circuitconfigured to receive power from the primary inductive coupling circuit,and charging case circuitry configured to control power transfer fromthe secondary inductive coupling circuit to the electronic devicethrough the conductive contact. In some cases, the system furtherincludes a processor within the charging pad configured to transfer databy regulating the current flow through the primary inductive couplingcircuit, and wherein the secondary inductive coupling circuit is furtherconfigured to receive data from the primary inductive coupling circuit.In some cases, the charging case circuitry is further configured toperform power conditioning and/or preliminary data processing prior totransferring power and/or data to the electronic device through theconductive contact. In some cases, the system further includes a batterywithin the charging case configured to receive power from the secondaryinductive coupling circuit. In some cases, the primary inductivecoupling circuit includes a plurality of inductive coupling coils, andwherein a coil closest to the axis of the secondary inductive couplingcircuit is used to transfer power and/or data to the secondary inductivecoupling circuit. In some cases, the charging case further includes atleast one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USBport, micro USB port, and/or SD card port. In some cases, the chargingcase circuitry is further configured to transfer data to the primaryinductive coupling circuit of the charging pad by regulating a currentthrough the secondary inductive coupling circuit.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthis disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention belimited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronics case, comprising: a conductivecontact configured to connect to a conductive contact of an electronicdevice; a power module configured to receive power from an externalpower source; and charging case circuitry configured to transfer powerfrom the power module to an electronic device through the conductivecontact, thereby leaving a main connector port of the electronic deviceavailable for use during charging of the device via the case.
 2. Theelectronics case of claim 1 further comprising a device port accessconfigured to allow access to the main connector port of the electronicdevice.
 3. The electronics case of claim 1 further comprising a datamodule configured to receive data from an external data source andtransfer data to an electronic device through the conductive contact. 4.The electronics case of claim 3 wherein the data module comprises aninductive coil, and is configured to send and receive data throughinductive coupling.
 5. The electronics case of claim 3 wherein the datamodule comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFicircuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port.
 6. Theelectronics case of claim 1 wherein the power module comprises at leastone of: photovoltaic cells, an inductive coil configured toelectromagnetically couple to a primary inductive charging coil, a setof conductive contacts, and/or a charging cable port.
 7. The electronicscase of claim 1 further comprising a battery configured to receive acharge from the power module and connect into the battery slot of theelectronic device.
 8. The electronics case of claim 1 wherein theelectronic device is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, orGPS device.
 9. An electronics case, comprising: a conductive contactconfigured to connect to a conductive contact of an electronic device; apower and data module configured to receive power and data from anexternal power source using common circuitry; and charging casecircuitry configured to transfer power and data from the power and datamodule to an electronic device through the conductive contact, therebyleaving a main connector port of the electronic device available for useduring charging of the device via the case.
 10. The electronics case ofclaim 9 wherein the power and data module comprises an inductive coilconfigured to wirelessly power the electronic device through inductivecoupling, and further configured to send and receive data throughinductive coupling.
 11. The electronics case of claim 9 wherein thepower and data module comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit,Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SDcard port.
 12. The electronics case of claim 9 wherein the electronicdevice is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, or GPS device.13. The electronics case of claim 9 further comprising a batteryconfigured to receive a charge from the power module and connect intothe battery slot of the electronic device.
 14. A system for charging anelectronic device, comprising: a charging pad comprising a primaryinductive coupling circuit; and a charging case configured to connectwith the electronic device through a conductive contact, thereby leavinga main connector port of the electronic device available for use duringcharging of the device via the case, the case comprising: a secondaryinductive coupling circuit configured to receive power from the primaryinductive coupling circuit; and charging case circuitry configured tocontrol power transfer from the secondary inductive coupling circuit tothe electronic device through the conductive contact.
 15. The system ofclaim 14 further comprising a processor within the charging padconfigured to transfer data by regulating the current flow through theprimary inductive coupling circuit, and wherein the secondary inductivecoupling circuit is further configured to receive data from the primaryinductive coupling circuit.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein thecharging case circuitry is further configured to perform powerconditioning and/or preliminary data processing prior to transferringpower and/or data to the electronic device through the conductivecontact.
 17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a battery withinthe charging case configured to receive power from the secondaryinductive coupling circuit.
 18. The system of claim 14 wherein theprimary inductive coupling circuit comprises a plurality of inductivecoupling coils, and wherein a coil closest to the axis of the secondaryinductive coupling circuit is used to transfer power and/or data to thesecondary inductive coupling circuit.
 19. The system of claim 14 whereinthe charging case further comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit,Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SDcard port.
 20. The system of claim 14 wherein the charging casecircuitry is further configured to transfer data to the primaryinductive coupling circuit of the charging pad by regulating a currentthrough the secondary inductive coupling circuit.